The Holy Bible

The Christian doctrine which Luther confessed and championed at Worms four hundred years ago before the Church and the world involves above all the fundamental truth that Holy Scripture is the only source and norm of faith. We accept the Holy Bible as that only standard of truth because it is not the word of man, but of our Almighty Lord and Savior, by means of which he wishes to teach all men and to reign in their hearts and consciences. Luther’s reply to the papal nuncio is well known. When the Reformer was asked for a brief and clear statement as to whether or not he would recant his doctrine, either entirely or in part, his answer was: “Unless I am convinced by testimony of Scripture or by clear arguments – for I believe neither the Pope nor the councils alone, since it is clear that they have often erred and contradicted one another, – I am conquered by the Scripture-passages which I have quoted and my conscience is bound in God’s Word . I cannot and will not retract anything against conscience.” From these words it is clear that Luther recognized for the Christian Church and for the conscience of every individual Christian no other authority than Holy Scripture. Every other authority in the Christian Church he cast aside, regardless of whether it was the word of Popes or of church councils. That was Luther’s position, and to that he steadfastly adhered. He did not leave Worms immediately after his public testimony on April 17 and 18, but remained in the city for seven days until April 26. During this time several attempts were made in private sessions to divert him from his loyal adherence to the Bible; in fact to this end even cajolery were employed. These meetings were held in the palace of the Archbishop of Treves, one of the dew papists in whom Luther still reposed some confidence. Luther’s bold words, “I cannot do otherwise; my conscience is bound to God’s Word” had made a profound impression upon the entire diet; accordingly the Archbishop of Treves, together with other church dignitaries, sought to dissuade him from his decisive position. In all, he met with Luther four times in sessions held in both the forenoon and the afternoon of April 24 and 25. In the first session Luther was urged to consider at least the authority of the church councils, in particular of the Council of Constance. He was told that his many excellent books, which were so useful to Christian people, could not be read unless he would acknowledge the authority of the church councils. But Luther replied that even the councils could not be trusted, which, he said, was proved by the unjust condemnation of John Huss by the Council of Constance; therefore he could not recognize the authority of the councils. In short, the great Reformer championed ‘sola Scriptura,’ or the fundamental Christian truth that Holy Scripture is the only standard of faith according to which Christendom must be instructed and the hearts and consciences of men be ruled. Since all arguments were fruitless, the church dignitaries withdrew and after thorough deliberation suggested to Luther that he allow the imperial government to pass judgment on his doctrine. Luther assented to this, provided his teachings would be judged according to Scripture. On the following day, Thursday, April 25, another attempt was made to induce Luther to submit his case without reservation to the imperial court. The promise was given him that his writings would be submitted to none but trustworthy and fair-minded judges. Luther’s answer was that in matters of Christian doctrine one must rely solely on God’s Word and not on men, even if these should be considered impartial; and he appealed to the passage “Cursed be the man who trusteth in man.” Jer. 17, 5. In the end it was proposed to Luther that his doctrine be judged at least by a council to be held in the near future. However, Luther insisted even now that he would accept decisions of such a council only in case they were substantiated by the clear witness of Holy Scripture. At last the attempt to make Luther depart from his loyal adherence to ‘sola Scriptura’ was given up, and on April 26, at ten o’clock in the forenoon, the bold confessor left Worms. From the town of Friedberg, situated to the north of Worms, on April 28, he sent a letter to the emperor and the imperial states in which he expressed his heartfelt thanks both for the safe conduct and for the audience that had been granted him and declared absolute obedience in all earthly matters; at the same time he reiterated that in all matters of Christian doctrine his conscience remained bound by God’s Word alone.

Via Pieper’s “The Holy Bible” (a Paper Read at the Southern Illinois District Convention, 1921)